A combined inspection gully dish and trap apparatus

ABSTRACT

A combined inspection gully trap and gully dish apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a gully trap housed within a gully dish. The apparatus is arranged such that when in use liquid can flow into a gully dish inlet and into the trap which is arranged such that it partitions the dish into a liquid inlet section and a liquid outlet section, and wherein the liquid in the trap creates a seal between the two sections.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a combined inspection gully dish and trap apparatus. More particularly but not exclusively the invention relates a combined inspection gully dish and trap apparatus which allows inspection access and/or ventilation to a sanitary sewer drain.

BACKGROUND

The use of gully traps and dishes in sanitary sewer drainage systems have been known for some time. A gully trap is a generally U shaped pipe which houses water, the water creates a seal which helps to prevent toxic and/or flammable gases and disease carrying pests from exiting the sanitary sewer drainage system via the gully trap. A gully dish is typically located above the gully trap and tops up the water in the trap via a house plumbing fixture that is in regular use.

The seal of water in the gully trap is prone to being syphoning away through a build-up of back pressure in the sanitary sewer drainage system at the outlet end of the gully trap. A terminal vent allows air to flow into the sanitary sewer drain, preventing back pressure syphoning water away from the water seal. When the sanitary sewer drainage system is not adequately vented, pressure builds up inside the system, this pressure tries to draw air inside to equalise with the atmospheric air pressure. This creates a syphoning effect on the gully trap, drawing water from the gully trap into the sanitary sewer drainage system, breaking the seal between the sanitary sewer drainage system and the atmosphere, creating a passage for air to flow into the sanitary sewer drainage system. Once the pressure equalises and the water settles back into the gully trap, the water level has been reduced and may well lead to a failure if not recharged and if enough water evaporates. Lowering the water level below the water seal allows toxic/flammable gases and disease carrying pests in the sanitary sewer drainage system to escape into the living environment via the gully trap.

The gully trap has a dual purpose, firstly to stop toxic/flammable gases and disease carrying pests in the sanitary sewer drainage system escaping into the living environment as described above. The second purpose of the trap is to act as a pressure release system in the sanitary sewer drainage system by allowing effluent to discharge at the top of the gully dish, in the event of a blockage downstream in the sanitary sewer drain, thus preventing the effluent from entering the dwelling.

An indication of a blockage in the sanitary sewer drainage system is apparent when the gully dish grate is dislodged, which occurs when a surcharge of effluent builds up in the drain and over flows at the top of the gully dish. The effluent may disperse into the ground around the gully trap and dish, but the dislodged grate shows there is a problem that needs to be fixed. Finding access into the sanitary sewer drainage system can be hindered at times by the access points being covered with permanent cover or landscape.

The gully dish and gully trap often branches off from the main pipe of the sanitary sewer drain. The gully dish and gully trap may be the only means of entry outside the sanitary sewer drain and for this reason entry can be restricted into the sanitary sewer drain, because of the configuration of the piping fixtures involved. When a blockage occurs then often there is no way around the problem without major invasive inconvenience to the dwelling and/or expensive repairs once access to the drain has been achieved and the blockage cleared.

This comes about because clearing the drain from a standard gully trap restricts the direction of travel (unless the gully trap is at the very end of the sanitary sewer drain, which often is not the case) to the downstream end of the sanitary sewer drain, however if the inspection gully trap is above the drain it makes the upstream and downstream parts of the drain accessible from the one access point.

It is an object of a preferred form of the present invention to go at least some way towards addressing the above problems. While this is an object of a preferred embodiment, it should not be seen as a limitation on the scope of the invention as claimed. The object of the invention per se is simply to provide the public with a useful choice.

The term “comprising” and derivatives thereof, eg “comprises”, if and when used herein in relation to a combination of features should not be taken as excluding the possibility that the combination may have further unspecified features. For example, a statement that an arrangement “comprises” certain parts does not mean that it cannot also, optionally, have additional parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a combined inspection gully dish and trap apparatus comprising:

-   -   a gully dish having at least one inlet adapted to receive liquid         and having at least one liquid outlet;     -   a gully trap housed within the dish; and     -   a ventilation pipe having one end inside the dish and one end         outside the dish;         the apparatus arranged such that when in use liquid can flow         into the gully dish inlet and into the trap which is arranged         such that it partitions the dish into a liquid inlet section and         a liquid outlet section, and wherein the liquid in the trap         creates a seal between the two sections, the apparatus also         arranged such that the ventilation pipe is configured so that it         allows gas to flow in and out of the outlet section.

Preferably the dish has an inspection cap which is adapted to releasably engage with it.

Preferably the dish has a grate which is adapted to releasably engage with it.

Preferably the ventilation pipe passes through the top of the dish.

Preferably the ventilation pipe has a one way valve which releasably engages with it.

Preferably the pipe is a removable terminal ventilation pipe.

Preferably the trap consists of:

-   -   a U shaped plate member which extends from a side wall of the         dish; and     -   a second plate member which extends diagonally from the opposite         side wall and then extends downwardly towards to base of the         dish;         the trap configured such that it partitions the dish into a         liquid inlet section and a liquid outlet section and when the         trap is filled with liquid it creates a U shaped liquid seal         between the two sections.

Preferably the apparatus has an inspection cap which releasably engages with the second plate member.

Preferably the ventilation pipe passes through the diagonal portion of the second plate member.

Preferably one end of the ventilation pipe extends at least 150 mm in distance from the dish.

Preferably the apparatus is modular.

Preferably the apparatus is made substantially from uPVC.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided the previously described apparatus when in use with a pipe from a plumbing fixture and a pipe from a sanitary drain.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a combined inspection gully dish and trap apparatus comprising:

-   -   a gully dish having at least one inlet adapted to receive liquid         and having at least one liquid outlet;     -   a gully trap housed within the dish; and     -   an inspection cap;         the apparatus arranged such that when in use liquid can flow         into the gully dish inlet and into the trap which is arranged         such that it partitions the dish into a liquid inlet section and         a liquid outlet section, the liquid in the gully trap creates a         seal between the two sections, and wherein the cap is adapted to         releasably engage with an aperture in the outlet section of the         gully dish.

Preferably the aperture is in the top of the outlet section of the dish.

Preferably the dish has a cap (e.g. an inspection and/or ventilation cap) which is adapted to releasably engage with it.

Preferably the gully dish has a grate which is adapted to releasably engage with it.

Preferably the apparatus has a ventilation pipe, and wherein one end of the pipe passes through an aperture in the removable cap and the other end is outside of the dish and wherein the ventilation pipe is configured such that it only allows gas to flow in and out of the outlet section.

Preferably the ventilation pipe exits through the top of the dish.

Preferably the ventilation pipe has a one way valve which is adapted to releasably engage with it.

Preferably the pipe is a removable terminal ventilation pipe.

Preferably when in use and when the trap is filled with liquid it creates a U shaped liquid seal between the two sections.

Preferably the dish has a substantially vertical liquid outlet and/or a substantially horizontal liquid outlet.

Preferably the removable gully cap is at least 100 mm in diameter.

Preferably the apparatus is made substantially from uPVC.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided the previously described apparatus when in use with a pipe from a plumbing fixture and a pipe from a sanitary sewer drain.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the entirety of this disclosure, which includes the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a combined gully trap and dish apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective of the apparatus with the lid removed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fluid outlet connection;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fluid outlet connection;

FIG. 5 is a perspective of the fluid outlet connection;

FIG. 6 is a perspective sectional view an alternative embodiment of a combined gully trap and dish apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a side sectional transparent view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective exploded view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 6 and 7; and

FIG. 9 is a side exploded view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a combined inspection gully trap and gully dish apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 has a gully dish 2 which is preferably made from plastic but can also be made from any other suitable materials. It will be appreciated that reference to gully dish 2 relates to the whole of the housing and not just the upper portion of the apparatus 1. The dish 2 is cylindrical in shape however it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the dish 2 can come in different shapes and sizes. The dish 2 has a removable lid 3 (e.g. a grate or a screw on lid) at the top and at the bottom has a liquid outlet aperture (not visible). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that references throughout the specification to liquid includes water, grey water and any other liquids commonly found in plumbing and drainage fixtures. As can be seen the bottom of the dish 2 has a drainage connection joint 4 arranged around the outlet aperture which is adapted to connect to a drainage pipe 5 (e.g. a sanitary sewer drainage pipe). The joint 4 can be attached to the dish 2 with an adhesive (e.g. glue) or fastened to it with a rubber ring joint or the like. The dish 2 also has a liquid inlet aperture (not visible) adapted to receive a pipe 6 (e.g. a pipe from a plumbing fixture). In some embodiments (not shown) an inlet pipe can enter from above and into the top of the dish 2. It will be appreciated both those skilled in the art that the dish 2 can have a number of liquid inlets and in some embodiments the inlet is a removable grate which has apertures in it.

As can be seen the apparatus 1 has a ventilation pipe 7. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the pipe 7 has a removable one way valve 7 a connected to the top of it and this valve 7 a only allows gases (e.g. air) to enter into the dish 2 via the pipe 7 and not out of the dish 3 via the pipe 7. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the top of the pipe 7 is at least 150 mm from the top or lid 3 (e.g. grate) of dish 2. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the vent pipe 7 can come in different lengths and widths and also that the pipe 7 can enter and exit the dish 2 through the side of the dish 2 and need not enter and exit through the top or lid 3 (e.g. grate) of the dish 2. The vent pipe 7 can be used as a means of access into the dish 2 and the drainage pipe 5 below the dish 2. For example a user could remove the one way valve 7 a in the ventilation pipe 7 and then use a hydrojet to clear out any blockages in the dish 2 and/or sanitary sewer drainage pipe 5 and then insert a camera down the ventilation pipe 7 to check for any damage to the dish 2 or drainage pipe 5.

The apparatus 1 also has a U shaped gully trap 8. The gully trap has a U shaped member 9 which extends from a side wall 10 of the dish 2. The trap also has a plate member 11 which is formed such that it initially extends diagonally from the opposite side wall 12 of the dish 2 and then extends downwardly such that it is substantially parallel to the side walls 10, 12. This wall extends at least 65 mm in depth past the top of the gully trap, forming the water seal. The gully trap 8 partitions the dish 2 into two sections namely a liquid inlet section and a liquid outlet section. When in use the trap houses liquid (e.g. water) which creates a seal between the liquid inlet section and the liquid outlet section. As can be seen one end of the vent pipe 7 is in the liquid outlet section and so gas is able to flow from outside the dish into this section and also into the sanitary drainage system via the drainage pipe 5. This breaks the backpressure from the sanitary sewer drainage system which means that the water seal in the gully trap 8 is not siphoned.

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus 1 with the lid 3 (e.g. grate) removed and shows that the ventilation pipe 7 passes through the second trap member 11. This figure also shows that the apparatus 1 has a vent pipe joint 13 which connects the vent pipe 7 to the dish 2. The joint 13 can be manufactured such that it is moulded to the dish 2.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show that the drainage connection joint 4 can be connected to different types of drainage pipe arrangements 5 (e.g. inline FIG. 3, to the side FIG. 4 or straight down FIG. 5). It will be appreciated that the connections can be moulded as one piece ready for installation onto a sanitary drain at the appropriate points of connection. The connections can vary depending on the proximity of the house to the drain.

In use liquid enters into the dish 2 through the pipe 6 (or through apertures in the lid 3 e.g. grate) and into the trap 8 creating a U shaped water seal. Once the seal has been created any excess liquid which enters the dish cascades out of the trap into the outlet section of the dish. The liquid then drains into the sanitary drainage pipe 5 via one of the connections in FIGS. 3-5. Once the water seal has been created in the trap there is equal atmospheric pressure on the inlet section of the trap and the outlet section of the trap. This is maintained by air coming in through the vent pipe 7 with the one way valve 8 on it or an appropriate venting system.

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment of a combined gully trap and dish apparatus 101. The apparatus 101 has a gully dish 102 which is preferably made from plastic but can also be made from any other suitable materials. At the top of the gully dish 102 is a removable grate 103 with apertures in it. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the dish 102 can have a cap instead of a grate 103. The gully dish 102 also has a liquid inlet which is a pipe connection joint 104 (or an aperture in an alternative embodiment) adapted to receive a pipe (e.g. from a plumbing fixture) It will be appreciated both those skilled in the art that the gully dish 102 can have more than one liquid inlet 104 and as can be seen in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 there are four in this embodiment.

As can be seen the apparatus 101 has a U shaped gully trap 105, The trap 105 is created by a combination of a U shaped member 106 which extends from a side wall 107 of the dish 102 the member 106 then connects to a side wall of a drainage pipe connector 108, wherein the wall is substantially parallel to side wall 107 of the dish. The other part of the trap 105 is a gully trap plate member 109 which extends diagonally from the dish opposite the side wall 107 over the top of the pipe connector 108 and then extends downwardly such that it is substantially parallel to the side wall 107 and the side wall of the drainage pipe connector 108. This results in a U-shaped water trap that extends a minimum of 65 mm into the water seal.

The plate member 109 has an aperture in it (not visible) in it and it is also adapted to receive a removable screw top cap 110. The cap 110 preferably is about 100 mm in diameter. The trap 105 and the cap 110 partitions the dish 102 into two sections namely a liquid inlet section and a liquid outlet section. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the cap 110 has an aperture in the middle of it so that a ventilation pipe (not shown) passes through the grate 103 and cap 110 and into the liquid outlet section. The ventilation pipe preferably has a one way gas valve on the end of it. The ventilation pipe allows air to pass into the liquid outlet section so gas is able to flow from outside the dish into this section and also into the sanitary drainage system via the drainage pipe(s). This breaks the backpressure from the sanitary sewer drainage system which means that the water seal in the gully trap is not siphoned. The drainage pipe connector 108 has a substantially horizontal drain connection joint 111 and a substantially vertical drain connection joint 112 with the option of using one or the other for connection to the sanitary sewer drain or both. In the embodiment shown the plate member 109 is connected to the top of horizontal drain connection joint 111. In some embodiments the member 109 can be connected (e.g. by adhesive or the like) to the side of dish 102 instead of to the joint 111. In a further embodiment the gully trap plate member forms part of the drainage pipe connector 108.

One advantage of this embodiment is that it provides for a large access way (via the removable cap 110) into the sanitary sewer drainage system for maintenance and inspections. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus 101 is compact and is able to fit in between floor joists of a multi story building meaning it can be used for both outdoor (drainage) and indoor (plumbing) use.

In use liquid enters into the gully dish 102 through the joint 104 and/or through the apertures in the grate 103 and into the gully trap 105 creating a U shaped water seal. Once the seal has been created any excess liquid which enters the gully dish 102 cascades out of the gully trap into the outlet section of the gully dish. The liquid then drains into a sanitary sewer drainage system via either the substantially horizontal drain connection joint 111 or the substantially vertical drain connection joint 112. A user can open cap 110 for access into the sanitary sewer drainage system for maintenance and inspections. In embodiments where the apparatus 101 has a ventilation pipe it maintains the atmospheric pressure on the outlet section of the dish such that it is equal to the inlet section.

It will be appreciated that the various parts can be made from different materials however in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the parts will be made substantially from plastic and more particularly from uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride polyvinyl chloride) which is highly UV resistant. It also will be appreciated that the various parts of the apparatus 1 can be made in a number of different ways however the parts are preferably made by plastic injection moulding. When the apparatus is made substantially from plastic this makes the apparatus lightweight and inexpensive to produce. In some embodiments the apparatus is modular and the components are preferably pre-fabricated in a factory and are easy to assemble on site.

Apart from the benefits previously mentioned the apparatus also has a number of additional benefits/advantages. As the ventilation pipe and/or removable cap allows access into the sanitary sewer system which results in saving time and money as usually excavation is required for access to the sanitary sewer system. The ventilation pipe helps to maintain the drain pipes as the ventilation of them causes them to remain drier which helps to prevent the growth of fungus, mildew and other organisms that require a moist atmosphere in which to survive. The installation of the combined dish and traps is relatively quick compared to conventional systems and no exaction is required as it can be installed direction over the sanitary sewer drainage system. The dish and trap can be placed in one trench and will be directly above and in-line with the sanitary sewer drain pipe which means less excavation, hard fill, backfilling which results in savings in time and cost. By venting the trap it protects it from the failure that occurs when unvented dishes get siphoned by back pressure from sanitary sewer drainage systems.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and functioning of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail so long as the functioning of the invention is not adversely affected. For example the particular elements of the gully trap, gully dish, inspection cap and ventilation pipe may vary dependent on the particular application for which it is used without variation in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments described herein are directed to a combined gully trap and dish apparatus, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A combined vented inspection gully dish and trap apparatus comprising: a gully dish having at least one inlet adapted to receive liquid and having at least one liquid outlet; a gully trap housed within the dish; and a ventilation pipe having one end inside the dish and one end outside the dish and wherein the ventilation pipe passes through the top of the dish; the apparatus arranged such that when in use liquid can flow into the gully dish inlet and into the trap which is arranged such that it partitions the dish into a liquid inlet section and a liquid outlet section, and wherein the liquid in the trap creates a seal between the two sections, the apparatus also arranged such that the ventilation pipe is configured so that it allows gas to flow in or in and out of the outlet section.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, having an inspection cap which is adapted to releasably engage with the dish.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, having a grate which is adapted to releasably engage with the dish.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation pipe has a one way valve which releasably engages with it and wherein the one way valve only allows gas to flow into the outlet section passes.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pipe is a removable ventilation pipe.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trap consists of: a U shaped plate member which extends from a first side wall portion of the dish; and a second plate member which extends in a downward slope from a second side wall portion opposite the first side wall towards the U shaped plate member and then extends downwardly towards to base of the dish; the trap configured such that in use it partitions the dish into a liquid inlet section and a liquid outlet section and when the trap is filled with liquid it creates a U shaped liquid seal between the two sections.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trap consists of: a U shaped plate member which extends from a first side wall portion of the dish; and a second plate member which extends in a downward slope from a second side wall portion opposite the first side wall towards the U shaped plate member and then extends downwardly towards to base of the dish; the trap configured such that in use it partitions the dish into a liquid inlet section and a liquid outlet section and when the trap is filled with liquid it creates a U shaped liquid seal between the two sections and wherein the apparatus has an access cap which releasably engages with the second plate member.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trap consists of: a U shaped plate member which extends from a first side wall portion of the dish; and a second plate member which extends in a downward slope from a second side wall portion opposite the first side wall towards the U shaped plate member and then extends downwardly towards to base of the dish; the trap configured such that in use it partitions the dish into a liquid inlet section and a liquid outlet section and when the trap is filled with liquid it creates a U shaped liquid seal between the two sections and wherein the ventilation pipe passes through the downward sloped portion of the second plate member.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one end of the ventilation pipe extends at least 150 mm in distance from the dish.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 1, having a liquid outlet inspection cap, wherein the ventilation pipe passes through an aperture in the liquid outlet inspection cap, the apparatus arranged such that when in use the liquid outlet inspection cap when removed allows access to the liquid outlet section.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in use and when the trap is filled with liquid it creates a U shaped liquid seal between the two sections.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dish has a substantially vertical liquid outlet and/or a substantially horizontal liquid outlet.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is modular.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 1, made substantially from uPVC
 15. An apparatus according to claim 1, when in use with a pipe from a plumbing fixture and a pipe from a sanitary drain
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